10 Incremental Habits For Your Morning Routine

What does the morning routine of a highly successful person look like?

We immediately think of 5 am wake-up calls, intense workouts, and acai bowls, all before diving into the workday, right?

Sure, that’s the case for some people. But if there isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ definition of success, why should our routines and habits be the same?

If morning runs and kale smoothies don’t work for you, that’s not your fault. You have to find out what’s aligned with your personality, your routine and your lifestyle.

Meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight.

To develop good habits, we have to make small, incremental changes that add up over time.

If your morning routine needs switching up, don’t pressure yourself to nail it straight away.

Check out our top 10 incremental habits to help you start the day in style.

Set earlier alarms. Eager to jump out of bed at 6am? If you’re used to snoozing the alarm 20 times before emerging from under the duvet, it’s going to take some time before your body clock adjusts. Instead, try setting your alarm ten minutes earlier every couple of days. Eventually, your body and brain will catch up and it won’t be such a chore!
Make your bed. Making your bed is a simple yet effective way to start the day. Not only does it stop you from crawling back in for a snooze, but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment as you complete your first task of the day.
Don’t reach for your phone. Give yourself some time to get into a positive and prepared headspace before you scroll through your social feeds and open your inbox. Do some stretches, have breakfast, write down your gratitudes in your Ponderlily planner - anything that makes you feel relaxed and content.
Prepare your outfit the night before. Rather than frantically sift through the tumble dryer for a fresh pair of pants at 8:20 am, lay out everything you want to wear the night before. It’ll make you feel so much more ‘together’ and give you more time to prepare for the day.
Eat and drink something nutritious and filling. You’ve heard the saying: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Rather than wolf down sugary snacks on the go, stock the cupboards with healthy ingredients to make sure you’re energised, hydrated, and ready for the day ahead. You can’t go wrong with porridge or honey on wholemeal toast.
Move your body. Anyone can enjoy a stretch or some basic yoga in the morning - it’s a great way to get your blood flowing, wake you up, and release those feel-good chemicals. Walking the dog definitely counts too!
Write morning pages. Morning pages are a stream-of-consciousness journaling habit done first thing in the morning, every day. The idea is to get everything off your chest and help you find clarity. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar mistakes - just scribble away in your Ponderlily journal until you feel satisfied!
Write down your priorities for the day. Your to-do list might be as long as your arm, but chances are, not everything requires your immediate attention. Jot down your three top priorities and focus on these first.
Replace scrolling with reading. Whether it’s the newspaper or an uplifting chapter of a book, consider replacing ten minutes of screen time with ten minutes of reading time. Reading calms the nerves, increases language and reasoning, and keeps you mentally alert.
Do a small household chore. Whether it’s wiping down your kitchen worktops or putting the bins out, dedicating just a couple of minutes every morning to housework means your cleaning chores won’t pile up, giving you more time to enjoy your evenings and weekends.